Project Engineer

Actalent; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Project Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on execution for aerospace new product development programs. You will guide projects from requirements through design, certification, entry-into-service, and sustaining engineering, coordinating with customers and internal stakeholders while ensuring compliance with strict standards.

You will lead small cross-functional teams, manage tasks, and drive improvements to cost, cycle time, and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years in metallic or composite ducting and motion compensator design or related aerospace product areas.
• Experience with aircraft certification to FAA/EASA/CAAC/TC requirements.
• Experience leading programs through PDR/CDR/PRR/SOF/EIS.
• Strong interpersonal and program management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for new product development programs and ensure alignment with requirements.
• Coordinate all phases of development from proposals to certification and sustaining engineering.
• Lead small cross-functional teams and act as technical focal point for programs.
• Delegate and execute engineering tasks with internal teams and suppliers.
• Ensure designs meet customer specs and industry standards; prepare technical reports and documentation.
• Communicate project status to leadership and customers; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Aerospace Eng

Mechanical Eng

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

FAA Part 25

Education

Bachelor's in Aerospace or Mechanical Eng

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Project Engineer

Job Description

This role provides technical leadership and hands-on execution for complex aerospace new product development programs, guiding projects from initial requirements and proposals through design, certification, entry-into-service, and sustaining engineering. The Project Engineer leads small cross-functional teams, coordinates closely with customers and internal stakeholders, and ensures that all designs and deliverables meet stringent technical, regulatory, and quality standards. This position offers a clear growth path into future leadership opportunities and the chance to become a recognized subject matter expert within the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and execution for new product development programs, ensuring alignment with customer technical requirements and procurement specifications.
• Coordinate and contribute to all phases of new product development, including technical proposals, design of customer-deliverable hardware, support of development part fabrication, qualification testing, certification activities, entry-into-service, and sustaining engineering.
• Lead small, typically co-located, cross-functional teams and serve as the technical focal point for assigned programs.
• Own, delegate, coordinate, assign, and execute engineering tasks in collaboration with the internal product development team.
• Ensure that designs comply with customer technical requirements, procurement specifications, and applicable industry standards and regulations.
• Provide technical input, review, and approval for engineering drawings, documentation, and analytical outputs.
• Prepare and deliver clear project status presentations and communications for internal leadership and external customers.
• Establish and defend technically sound positions that support program and company objectives.
• Identify and implement improvement activities to reduce cost and cycle time while improving product quality.
• Interface with vendors and suppliers to ensure effective technical communication, mutual understanding, and product compliance.
• Lead and/or directly contribute to internal and external audits, including AS9100 and customer quality audits.
• Develop and maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of relevant engineering disciplines, processes, and tools.
• Establish oneself as a recognized technical subject matter expert, contributing to new business opportunities and maintaining long-term relationships with key customers.
• Proactively communicate across the organization to ensure transparency, alignment with project goals, and effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Understand the company’s objectives and commercial strategy, and actively recognize, communicate, and support new business opportunities with the leadership team.
• Decompose and interpret customer and project needs and requirements, including situations where requirements are nebulous or incomplete.
• Produce high-quality technical reports, specifications, and program documentation to support project management and customer communication.
• Support and guide design engineers, analysts, drafters, and test technicians, including delegating work and supervising non-direct reports.
• Contribute to and sometimes lead internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in metallic or composite ducting and motion compensator design per ARP 699 guidelines as a Project or Systems Engineering focal, or equivalent experience in aerospace product areas such as Environmental Control Systems (ECS), bleed air or air management systems (AMS), valves (pneumatic or electromechanical), heat exchangers, turbo machinery, fuel tank inerting systems (FTIS, OBIGGS, OBOGGS, NGS), pneumatic wing anti-ice systems, ram air systems, high-pressure or low-pressure pneumatic systems, or structural design.
• Experience with aircraft certification to EASA, Transport Canada, CAAC, and/or FAA 14 CFR Part 25 requirements.
• Experience managing programs from award or kick-off through key milestones such as Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Production Readiness Review (PRR), Safety of Flight (SOF), and Entry-into-Service (EIS).
• Demonstrated project management skills and strong interpersonal skills, including experience working with internal and external customers and resources.
• Experience delegating wor